Hundreds of schools in Pennsylvania and Virginia have been awarded millions of dollars in grants for school safety, security, and behavioral health initiatives.
Last week in Pennsylvania, approximately $20 million in competitive grants was awarded statewide to address school violence and improve safety and security, The Daily Item reports. The funds were awarded to 362 entities, including nonpublic schools and municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved security vendors.
“I’ve listened to our kids as they’ve told me about their mental health struggles — that’s why my administration is getting real help to students all across Pennsylvania quickly,” Governor Josh Shapiro wrote in a statement. “The resources secured in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget will give students better access to mental health supports and ensure that schools can upgrade technology and security measures to protect students, staff, and visitors.”
Some of the funding has already been put to use, according to Explore Jefferson. For instance, Conemaugh Township hired new school police officers and mental health clinicians.
Pennsylvania Public Schools Awarded $100 Million in School Safety Funding
The competitive grants are in addition to approximately $100 million in noncompetitive grants previously announced by Shapiro in July. That funding was divided among 779 public school entities, including 500 school districts, 176 charter schools, 29 Intermediate Units, and 74 area career and technical schools. Philadelphia City School District received the largest award at $3,666,983, followed by Pittsburgh School District ($528,221), Allentown School District ($478,047), Reading School District ($427,824), and Central Bucks School District ($416,233).
The combined $120 million effort, announced in August, was spearheaded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee, which was established as part of the 2024-2025 budget. The full list of awards can be found here.
RELATED ARTICLE: When Responding to Grant RFPs, Give Them What They Want
In part, the funding can be used to hire security after Pennsylvania lawmakers started requiring that all public schools hire at least one security employee. They must be armed unless they apply for and are granted a waiver. Newly authorized this year, schools that adopt policies restricting student cell phone usage can use the funding to purchase pouches to store devices during the day.
The Daily Item reports that other eligible uses include risk assessments, diversion programs, violence intervention programs, districtwide plans for emergency preparedness and safety, security technology purchases including metal detectors and surveillance equipment, counseling services, staff training in de-escalation, and positive behavior supports.
Virginia Schools Awarded $12 Million in School Safety Funding
In Virginia, $12 million from the School Security Equipment Grants program has been given to 472 schools across 96 school divisions to purchase security equipment, according to a Nov. 21 announcement by the Virginia Department of Education. Each school division can receive grants of up to $250,000 for the current school year.
“The 472 schools were awarded funds based on a rank ordering of applications’ point total on the competitive application criteria,” reads the release. “The criteria developed by VDOE and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services gives priority to schools most in need of modern security equipment, schools with relatively high numbers of offenses, schools with equipment needs identified by a school security audit, and schools in divisions least able to afford security upgrades.”
RELATED ARTICLE: How to Choose the Right Public Safety and Security Technology
Districts that received the maximum $250,000 include Amelia County, Craig County, Danville City, Fairfax County, Hopewell City, Lynchburg City, Manassas City, Prince Edward County, and Westmoreland County. Newport News Public Schools, where a six-year-old student shot his teacher in school in 2023, was awarded $105,674.
“The equipment purchased with these grants will help ensure the safety of all students and staff in Virginia’s public schools,” said Lisa Coons, superintendent of public instruction for VDOE. “Every child deserves a high-quality education experience, one where they can deeply focus on learning and growing the minute they step onto a school bus or pass through the doors of their school. These grants help create safe, supportive environments, both on school grounds and while traveling to and from school.”
